Women and Equalities

Females: Northern Ireland

Catherine West: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether she had made representations to the Prime Minister on women's rights in Northern Ireland prior to the Prime Minister meeting with Democratic Unionist Party leader, Arlene Foster, on 13 June.

Anne Milton: My Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, has a continued dialogue with my Rt hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, on a range of issues that affect government. My Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, in her recent debate on equalities and women’s rights in the House, made clear the UK’s proud record of promoting equality. We have some of the strongest laws in the world to prevent and tackle discrimination and my Rt hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, has provided reassurance that we will continue to strengthen our progressive record on equality and human rights as we work with others to govern in the national interest.

Females: Northern Ireland

Catherine West: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent discussions she has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and (b) Members of Northern Ireland Executive on the protection and promotion of women's rights in Northern Ireland.

Anne Milton: My Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, has ongoing discussions with my Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on a number of issues that affect government, and my Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, has a continued dialogue with members of the Northern Ireland Executive. My Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, in her recent debate on equality and women’s rights in the House, gave reassurances that we will continue to strengthen our progressive record on equality and human rights as we work with others to govern in the national interest. Work continues in preparation for the UK’s 8th Periodic Report to the Committee on the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) – a core human rights treaty which focuses on rights equality between women and men in all aspects of life.